A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced the Railway Safety Act, a bill aimed at improving safety standards in the rail industry. The legislation was brought forward by Senators Jon Husted (R-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
The new bill is similar to earlier bipartisan efforts led by then-Sens. J.D. Vance and Sherrod Brown from Ohio, which previously passed through the Senate Commerce Committee and received support from both President Biden and former President Trump. Lawmakers say the push for new regulations comes amid a rise in derailments per million train miles among major Class I railroads, as well as increased yard derailments.
The IAM Rail Division, which includes IAM District 19, the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC) Division, has repeatedly raised concerns about unsafe railroad practices. These unions allege that trains are often allowed to leave yards with known safety defects.
Key provisions in the Railway Safety Act include closing loopholes so only trained Carmen conduct pre-departure mechanical inspections; prohibiting unrealistic time limits on safety checks; ensuring qualified mechanical inspectors handle locomotive inspections; requiring at least two crew members on every Class I freight train; regulating critical wayside detector technology use; and enhancing community and first responder safety.
Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, said: “IAM Rail Division members see firsthand the consequences of precision-scheduled railroading and Wall Street-driven cost cutting that have hollowed out safety practices across this industry. This legislation restores common-sense safety standards by ensuring that trained, qualified railroaders — not the lowest-cost alternative — are performing critical inspections. Our members have been raising these concerns for years. Congress must move swiftly to advance this bill and put safety ahead of corporate profits.”
Transportation Communications Union National President Matt Hollis stated: “I’d like to thank this bipartisan group of Senators for introducing the Railway Safety Act in the Senate. TCU has been advocating for this legislation for years. It’s time for Congress to act and pass this bill to not only ensure our members can perform the jobs they are trained to do, but to improve the safety and reduce the risk of another East Palestine for every community that our trains roll through.”
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division General President Don Grissom added: “This legislation is important to every Carman at every Class I railroad. Every safety-sensitive industry knows how important it is to have the right person doing the right job. This bill does just that. Right this minute we have unsafe trains that have not been properly inspected rolling through communities. Statistically, it is very likely that either today or tomorrow there will be a derailment in this country that could’ve been prevented if our Carmen are simply allowed to do their job. That should scare the hell out of everyone. It’s time for Congress to step in.”
Reece Murtagh, IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair said: “On the ground, our members are being pressured every day to rush inspections or allow trains to depart with known defects. The Railway Safety Act reinforces what railroaders have always known: thorough inspections by skilled Carmen and Machinists save lives and prevent disasters. Congress must act to protect railroad workers and the communities we serve.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents around 600,000 active and retired members across various industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare providers, automotive companies, among others throughout North America.
